Surfboards in the spotlight at annual event

Brian Hilbers, a surfboard shaper for Fineline Surfboards, walks over a blank board of foam as he prepares to shape a surfboard without any measuring tools in front of spectators at The Boardroom Surfboard Show at the OC Fair & Event Center. The day was filled with plenty of shaping activities for surfboard enthusiasts, with legendary surfers and shapers selling boards and showcasing their skills for hundreds to watch.KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Mickey Munoz lifts up the shiny, single-fin surfboard, his eyes studying every detail that went into building the work of art.

Munoz and a handful of other select surfboards shapers were honored with a difficult task – to replicate that board made by iconic surfboard maker Terry Martin.

“I’m a little nervous about it,” said Munoz, a legendary surfboard shaper from the ‘60s who worked alongside Martin at Hobie Surfboards decades ago. “It’s not going to be an easy job.”

Munoz, 76, hit the shaping room Saturday as part of the “Icons of Foam Shape Off” honoring Martin, who passed away from cancer last year.

There were more than 100 surf-related exhibitors at the The Boardroom, an annual event that this year was held at the OC Fair and Events Center in Costa Mesa.

The exhibit showcased various aspects of surfboards – shapers, manufacturers, artists and innovators looking to spread the word about their products, brands and services. There were live shaping demos throughout the day, with spectators gathering to watch how boards are built.

Shaper Tim Stamps, scheduled to do a live demo in the afternoon, said the No. 1 question of the day was: “Did you surf this morning?”

The question came up because of the epic surf conditions in the morning that were just too good to pass up. Stamps himself strolled in about a half-hour late to man his booth.

“I tried to be prompt, but I had to get barreled because everyone else was,” he said with a chuckle. “Right off the bat, it was pretty slow because the weather was good and the surf was good. I think everyone just readjusted their schedule. I can’t blame them.”

Stamps, who operates a shaping shop in Westminster, said the show was a great way to get face time with customers.

“For the most part, I’m stuck in the shop making surfboards all day, so to be here where I’m not at work or in a rush to do anything is great,” he said. “People who like surfboards get a chance to see us. They get to meet us and talk to us and ask questions.”

Timothy Hogan was chatting about “theFinproject,” which when completed will educate people about the evolution of the fin and its importance in helping surfing progress through art and a documentary. He was trying to gain momentum for his Kickstarter fundraising effort, which started last week.

“I want to get people excited about it,” he said. “The goal is to get people aware of it. This is really the first time we’ve been able to show people the greater breathe of the project. The response has been awesome.”

Surf legend Robert August, star of the 1966 surfing documentary “Endless Summer,” was signing autographs at his booth. He said it was great to run into people he hadn’t seen in a long time, like a sander who worked in his first shop in Fullerton in 1974. He said he liked this trade show because it focused on surfboards.

“The other shows are about resorts, skateboards, bikinis.” He said. ”This is about surfboards. I love it. You can admire other people’s work.”

Many people through the weekend had their eyes on Martin’s life work, and Munoz was going to do his best to replicate the style of his old friend, who he used to surf and ride motorcycles with in the ‘60s. Martin eventually married Munoz’ sister and became his brother-in-law.

Martin, known for his ability to mass produce boards, was a master with the planer, a tool used to shape board.

“He taught me a lot,” Munoz said. “It’s a dance, there’s a system to it… Terry’s routine and the way he used the planer, he was always in symmetry. And that’s not easy. It’s a real gift, and Terry had it.”

The Boardroom continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the OC Fair and Events Center, located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. More info: boardroomshow.com

Brian Hilbers, a surfboard shaper for Fineline Surfboards, walks over a blank board of foam as he prepares to shape a surfboard without any measuring tools in front of spectators at The Boardroom Surfboard Show at the OC Fair & Event Center. The day was filled with plenty of shaping activities for surfboard enthusiasts, with legendary surfers and shapers selling boards and showcasing their skills for hundreds to watch. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Legendary surfer and shaper Mickey Munoz observes a surfboard which he will have to replicate without any measuring tools during a showcase of shapers' skills at The Boardroom Surfboard Show at the OC Fair and Event Center Saturday afternoon. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Max Parker, 7, left, Gavin Harris, 10, and Jack Parker, 10, focus on shaping their own mini surfboards at The Boardroom Surfboard Show Saturday afternoon. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A shaper applies colorful epoxy to finish the board during a showcase of how to properly glass a surfboard at The Boardroom Surfboard Show Saturday afternoon at the OC Fair and Event Center. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfboard shaper Daniel Thomson cuts a blank board of foam in half as he prepares to craft a surfboard in front of a roomful of spectators during The Boardroom Surfboard Show at OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ricky Carroll works on finishing the shaping of a new board during a challenge for shapers to replicate another surfboard without any measuring tools Saturday afternoon at The Boardroom, a surfboard show for shaping enthusiasts. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfboard Shaper Daniel Thomson walks over a ground decorated with sanded foam while he shapes a surfboard in front of spectators during The Boardroom Surfboard Show at OC Fair and Event Center on Saturday. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Older models of surfboards are displayed at the Surfing Heritage Exhibit during The Boardroom Surfboard Show, a surfboard shaping expo for surf enthusiasts which was held at the OC Fair and Event Center Saturday and Sunday. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Unique designs painted by professional surfboard artists were displayed throughout the OC Fair and Event Center during The Boardroom Surfboard Show Saturday afternoon. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfboard painted by artist and woodworker Nathan Paul Gibbs of Laguna Hills is displayed during The Boardroom Surfboard Show Saturday afternoon at the OC Fair and Event Center. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Gary Murphy of San Diego holds two Brownfish Handplanes, which were shaped by him and finished by his wife. The bodysurfing handplanes are for sale during The Boardroom Surfboard Show at the OC Fair and Event Center. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A collection of Album surfboards were displayed during The Boardroom Surfboard Show, an exhibition where surfing and shaping enthusiasts showcased their talents and their art Saturday afternoon at the OC Fair and Event Center. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A collection of Rainbow Surf Co. surf fins were sold during The Boardroom Surfboard Show at the OC Fair and Event Center Saturday afternoon. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A classic wooden Duke Kahanamoku surfboard was displayed in the exhibit hall of The Boardroom Surfboard Show Saturday afternoon, a surfboard shapers' convention where legendary surfers and shapers came to showcase their talents and sell their unique boards at the OC Fair and Event Center. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfboard shaper Ricky Carroll works on finishing the shaping of a new board during a challenge for shapers to replicate another surfboard without any measuring tools Saturday afternoon at The Boardroom, a surfboard show for shaping enthusiasts. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfboard shaper Ricky Carroll works on finishing the shaping of a new board during a challenge for shapers to replicate another surfboard without any measuring tools Saturday afternoon at The Boardroom, a surfboard show for shaping enthusiasts. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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